Coleman: Penn State events point to need for integrity, honesty and action

Editor's note: The following is a letter sent Tuesday from President Mary Sue Coleman to the U-M community.

To the University community:

We have watched the tragic events at Penn State with shock and sadness.

At Michigan, we're devoted to the highest ethical standards; we expect honesty and integrity from every member of our faculty, staff and student body. This is a chance to remind one another that a community's values are lived out in the actions of each of us as individuals.

It is important for us to act immediately in suspected cases of abuse or other crimes, or in a circumstance where you find yourself either a victim or a witness to questionable activity. If this is the case, please take one of the following steps:

• If you require immediate emergency assistance or believe a crime is in progress, dial 9-1-1 to connect you to the police.

• For a non-emergency situation, call the Department of Public Safety at 734-763-1131. DPS professionals can help assess the situation and determine what other notification or action is necessary.

• Information on potential criminal activity also may be reported anonymously by calling the University's Anonymous Tip Line at 1-800-863-1355.

Or in general, if you believe you have seen wrongdoing in the course of your daily activities on campus, you can report the situation anonymously through the University's compliance website, compliance.umich.edu/report.html.

Taking action might be difficult or uncomfortable or inconvenient. But the alternative — delaying action or taking no action — puts the welfare of others at risk.